With recent storms forcing residents of entire BC cities to evacuate suddenly, knowing what an emergency kit includes has become more relevant than ever.
The Province of BC has set out detailed guidelines on what should be included in emergency kits designed for different scenarios.
Grab bag
The first emergency kit is specific to each person in a household in case of a sudden evacuation need. The bag should be stored near the front door, where you can easily catch it at the exit.
The the clamping bag should include:
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- A set of clothes for all seasons
- Bottled water
- Snacks (enough to keep you going for 12 hours)
- Whistle
- Flashlight and batteries (or crank light)
- Radio and batteries (or crank radio)
- Extra batteries, phone charger and battery bank
- Small first aid kit and personal medicines
- Personal toiletries
- Additional pair of glasses or contact lenses
- Photocopies of your emergency plan, identity documents, insurance documents and other important documents
- Cash in small bills
- Pen and notepad
- Sentimental or comforting elements (eg photos, toys, etc.)
Pet emergency kit
Like any other member of your family, pets should have their own grab bag. The kit should be stocked with enough supplies to withstand your pet for at least 72 hours.
Your pet emergency kit should include:
- Veterinary and vaccination sheets in resealed plastic bags, including contact information for the veterinarian
- Medicines worth up to two weeks, if needed
- Pet first aid kit
- Pet food (if you use wet food, make sure you have pop-up boxes or a manual can opener)
- The water
- Bowls with food and water without spills
- Extra collar and leash
- Blankets, toys, sweets
- Cage, transport or kennel
- Paper towels, disinfectant, plastic bags for waste disposal
- Litter for cats
Home kit
A home kit will help the whole family cope without services that could be lost in the event of a disaster. The major difference between a fattening bag and a home kit is meant to be used at home, where a grip bag is meant to be taken with you. As such, the home kit can be a large container or a handbag. Consumables in the home kit should last at least 72 hours and up to a week.
The home kit should include:
- Water (four liters per person per day)
- Non-perishable foods (dried, canned) or emergency food rations
- Manual can opener
- Spices and sweeteners (salt, pepper, honey, sugar)
- Durable cups, bowls, plates and cutlery
- Napkins, toilet paper
- Personal hygiene materials (soap, toothpaste, diapers)
- Garbage bags and wet wipes
- Dust masks
- Seasonal clothing, durable footwear
- Beds
- Personal comfort (coffee, tea, teddy bear)
- Phone charger or battery
- Cash in small bills
- Help and signs OK
Vehicle emergency kit
As the name suggests, this kit is designed to keep you alive if you are in the vehicle when an emergency occurs.
The the emergency kit for the vehicle should include:
- Compass
- Road maps
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Seat belt cutter
- Emergency food package
- Flashlight and batteries
- Matches and a survival candle in a deep box (to warm your hands and drinks)
- Survival blanket
- Additional clothing or footwear
- Ice coolers and brush
- Methyl hydrate (for defrosting fuel lines and windshields)
- Sand, salt or bedding for cats (to help with traction in ice conditions)
- Row
- Traction mats
- Towing chain
- Amplification cables
- Warning light or road signs eruptions
- Ax or ax
- Cloth or paper towels
Replace any expired items, such as food and batteries, twice a year.
